Section 1
The reading for the Sunday services was the lengthy passage from Matthew 6: 19-34. This passage is very rich in its content and difficult in its application but the application provides an excellent overview of some core aspects[…]
Section 1
Given that it is the half way point of the eight week journey it is useful to reflect on the journey so far. As an exercise in group sharing, try to identify the following:
What you have learned[…]
Part 1:
One way of thinking about the Christian small group is to see it as a church within a church. It is a church because its members are the Body of Christ. Part of the process of discipleship then[…]
If you like, you can draw upon some of last week’s activities and see if people have had some new thoughts about some of last issues. You could consider the following:
Understanding and definitions of discipleship as a lifelong process[…]
October 10: Pastor Robin Stelzer
In first world countries leprosy has largely disappeared; modern medicine has allowed us to treat the illness so that the social stigma of the disease no longer exists. Yet, like many bygone issues, the language[…]
October 24: Pastor Robin Stelzer
Amongst cricketers these days there is a catchphrase: “form is temporary, class is permanent”. It is used when a batsman suffers a run of low scores and his place in the side is threatened.[…]
October 17: Pastor Matthew Thomas
When your scribe’s children were very young (they are still young), they would be collected at roughly 4.00pm from day care. My son soon became very skilled at knowing exactly when 4.00pm would occur[…]
Study for September 26: Kerry Groch
Towards the end of her message about the rich man and the beggar (Lazarus) Kerry made a remark that this is one of Jesus’ ‘disruptive parables’. It is an excellent description because of[…]
Message for September 19: Tim Kelly
Study Overview
Very few Christians these days use the phrase ‘born again’ to describe their faith. The phrase is now in the domain of other areas such as the health industry (born again trainer)[…]
Message from September 5: Robin Stelzer
Every now and again teachers in a school emerge a little surprised at some knowledge that their students lack. Your scribe recalls the time that a class confused Elton John with Bob Dylan (it[…]
Context:
The heading of the Psalm “For the Director of Music. A Psalm of David†tells us that David wrote this Psalm and that it was committed to the Master of the service of song in the sanctuary for the use of those who came to worship. There are two things the Psalmist draws our attention to. In verses 1-6, he draws our attention to the majesty and power of God in creation. Then from verses 7-11, we are drawn to the testimony of the word of God setting forth its diving purpose and usefulness in respect to humanity. In verses 12-14 we have the psalmists response to the consideration of both the world and the Word.
What does the Psalmist call God’s word and how is it described?
What does it say about the importance of knowing God’s word?
What are the benefits of God’s word in your life according to these verses?
How to get into God’s word
Hear: Romans 10:17
What are some avenues in which you can hear God’s word?
Read: Revelation 1:3
What are some different ways of reading the Bible?
Study: Acts 17:11
What is the difference between hearing and studying?
Memorise: Psalm 119:9-11
Why is it important to memorise the word?
Meditate: Psalm 119: 97-99
What does it mean to meditate on God’s word?
Which of the five ways of getting into God’s word do you find the easiest? Which would be the hardest? Why?
What can you do to get into the word more?
Digging Deeper
Read through Psalm 119 and think about what it says about God’s word. How is it described and what are the benefits for your life?